Hibernia (Pa-436f) dam
Hibernia (Pa-436f)
Hibernia (Pa-436f), also known as Hibernia Dam, is a local government-owned structure located in West Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. This earth dam was completed in 1994 by Ward Associates and the USDA NRCS, with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Standing at a height of 64.5 feet and a length of 700 feet, Hibernia Dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events along the Birch Run river.
With a storage capacity of 3,300 acre-feet, Hibernia Dam not only serves as a flood control measure but also supports recreation and water supply needs in the region. The dam's condition is assessed as fair, with a high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees the regulatory aspects of the dam, including permitting, inspection, and enforcement, to uphold safety standards and protect the environment.
As a significant feature in the Baltimore District, Hibernia (Pa-436f) stands as a testament to effective collaboration between local government and federal agencies in managing water resources and mitigating climate-related risks. Its strategic location and design demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding communities against floods while providing additional benefits such as recreational opportunities and water supply reliability. The ongoing monitoring and risk management measures in place reflect a proactive approach to maintaining the dam's integrity and ensuring its continued functionality for the well-being of the surrounding area.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Hibernia (Pa-436f) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Birch Run Near Wagontown | 2 cfs | → |
| West Branch Brandywine Creek Near Honey Brook | 6 cfs | → |
| West Branch Brandywine Creek At Coatesville | 17 cfs | → |
| West Branch Brandywine Creek At Modena | 26 cfs | → |
| Marsh Creek Near Downingtown | 5 cfs | → |
| Marsh Creek Near Glenmoore | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hibernia (Pa-436f).
Boat launches
- Chambers Lake
- Struble Lake
- West Side-Lyndell
- Hopewell Lake-French Creek State Park
- Scott's Run Lake-French Creek State Park
- South Pottstown
Campgrounds
- Harmony Hill Wilderness Area Campsite
- William Penn State Forest Designated Campsite
- Red Run Campground
- Mill Bridge Village Camp Resort
- Camp Laughing Waters
- Camp Andrews
Fishing spots
Track Hibernia (Pa-436f) in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Hibernia (Pa-436f)
Where does the data for Hibernia (Pa-436f) come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Hibernia (Pa-436f).